Tribute to Wolves legend Derek Parkin

A Wolves legend was honoured at Molineux last night when former team-mates and fans came together to pay tribute to Derek Parkin.

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Wolves legend and all-time record appearance holder Derek Parkin pictured with Kenny Hibbitt. left and Willie Carr along with fellow old players as they come together at Molineux for a dinner in his honour

The former full-back, who won two League Cups with Wolves, is the club’s record appearance holder having played 609 times between 1968 and 1982.

The This Is Your Life style evening was organised by Steve Plant, author of historical Wolves kits book They Wore The Shirt which was released almost exactly 12 months ago.

Money raised from auctions and a raffle will go to Birmingham Children’s Hospital and it’s planned that it will become an annual event in honour of Wolves legends from years gone by.

Plant said: “It was appropriate to pick Derek to be honoured.

“His appearance record will never be beaten. Derek was a top professional who slept right, drank right and ate right and was a very consistent player over many years for Wolves.

“The whole idea is for the fans to show their appreciation.”

John Richards, Kenny Hibbitt, George Berry, Willie Carr and Phil Parkes were among the ex-team mates at Molineux last night.

A special painting of Parkin by Jody Craddock was presented to the 69-year-old and Parkin’s 1980 League Cup final shirt was handed over to the Wolves museum.